How do I know what color paint my car has?

The color your car uses is recorded as an exterior paint code, typically found on a sticker or tag on the car itself. If that tag isn’t visible, your VIN can help a dealer or body shop pull the original color from the manufacturer’s records.

Where to look for the color code

Most cars keep the exterior paint code in a few reliable places. Start with the easiest, then move to other locations if needed.

• Door jamb sticker on the driver’s side (the B-pillar area). This is the most common location and will usually label the exterior color code alongside other build details.


• Glove box or near the driver’s side kick panel. Some manufacturers place the data label inside the glove box or on the interior side of the door.


• Engine bay or radiator support area, sometimes on a stamped or printed label. A few models publish the code here for easy reference during maintenance.


• Inside the trunk or on the hatch lid, especially on older or European models. Check for a second label if the door jamb sticker isn’t found.


• Owner’s manual or maintenance booklet. Some cars list the exterior color code in the documentation that came with the vehicle.

Many cars use a single exterior paint code, while others (particularly two-tone or premium finishes) may have multiple codes for different panels or finishes. If you’ve recently had body work, the codes on different panels may not match.

How to read and interpret the color code

Once you locate the code, you’ll need to map it to the exact color. Codes vary by manufacturer and may be numeric, alphanumeric, or a combination. The code identifies the base paint and, in many cases, the finish (metallic, pearl, or solid). Some vehicles also separate interior color codes from exterior color codes.

• Note whether the code is labeled as exterior color, paint, or color/trim. Exterior color codes are what you’ll use to order paint for touch-ups or replacements.


• Understand that a single code can correspond to a family of shades in a given year; manufacturers sometimes adjust tones slightly year to year. Always confirm with the exact year, make, and model when ordering paint.


• Two-tone or tri-tone vehicles may require more than one code (one for each color segment). If you’re unsure, specify the panels or ask a professional to verify.

To ensure an exact match, provide the color code when you contact a dealer, body shop, or paint supplier and reference the vehicle’s year, make, and model. If the color code has changed due to repainting, the original code might no longer reflect the current appearance.

What to do if you can’t locate the code

When the label is missing or unreadable, there are reliable routes to recover the color information.

• Call or visit the dealership with your VIN. The manufacturer can pull the original exterior color from the vehicle build records.


• Check the vehicle’s build sheet or window sticker from new. If you don’t have it, a dealer or former owner might be able to retrieve it from the manufacturer’s database.


• Use a reputable online VIN lookup or color-code database, then verify the result with a dealer or body shop before purchasing paint.


• Visit a professional body shop. Experienced painters can often identify the color by eye and confirm with a paint chip or spectrophotometer, then match it precisely.

Even if you can’t find the code, you have solid options to obtain an exact match: rely on the VIN-based lookup, consult the dealer, or have a shop sample-match the color using a spectrophotometer and paint chips.

What to know about repainting and color matching

If the car has been repainted, the color code on the original label may not reflect the current shade. Repainted panels can drift in color due to pigment batches, aging, and finishing layers. Here are key considerations when color matching after a repaint.

• Inspect several panels. A discrepancy between panels can indicate a repaint or color variation due to sun exposure or repair work.


• Provide all known color codes to the shop. If one panel is identified as the original color and others aren’t, the shop can blend to achieve a seamless match.


• Rely on professional color matching. A quality shop will use color-matching instruments and test panels to ensure a precise match, especially for metallic or pearl finishes.


• Consider the finish. Basecoat/clearcoat systems are common, but some older vehicles use single-stage finishes. Mention finish type when ordering paint.

With modern color-matching technology, most color matches are highly precise, but confirming with a shop—especially for critical fenders, bumpers, or large repairs—helps avoid visible shade differences.

Summary

In most cases, your car’s exterior paint color is defined by a color code on a door jamb label or another data sticker. If the sticker is missing, your VIN can be used to retrieve the original color from the manufacturer, or a dealer and experienced body shop can identify and match the color. When repainting is involved, be aware that current panels may not perfectly match the original shade, and professional color matching is essential to achieve a seamless result. By locating the code, understanding how to read it, and consulting the right sources, you can confidently determine and reproduce your car’s color.

Can you buy touch up paint for your car?

Yes, you can buy touch-up paint for your car from dealerships, auto parts stores, and many online retailers. To find the correct color, you need your vehicle's specific paint code, which is usually located on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb, but can also be found by looking up your car's make, model, and year online. 
Where to buy

• Dealerships: Can sell you paint specifically matched to your vehicle. 
• Auto parts stores: Many have a selection of touch-up paints for various cars, or can order it for you. 
• Online retailers: Websites like AutomotiveTouchup, Paint Scratch, and even general retailers like Amazon sell a wide variety of touch-up paints and kits. 

How to find the right color

• Find the paint code: The most accurate way to match your paint is to find your car's factory paint code.
  • Look for a sticker in the driver's side door jamb.
  • Other common locations include the firewall, trunk, or under the hood.
  • If you can't find it on the car, you can often find it by looking up your car's year, make, and model online.
• Verify the match: Once you have the code, ensure the product you purchase specifically lists that code for a precise color match. 

What to consider

• Applicator type: Paint comes in various forms, including felt-tip pens, brush-top bottles, and aerosol cans. Some products come as part of a kit with multiple applicators and a clear coat. 
• Kit contents: Some kits are comprehensive, including the paint, primer, and clear coat, while others may require you to purchase these items separately. 
• Paint fading: If your car's paint has faded over time, a brand new touch-up paint might not be a perfect match. Some products are designed to account for this, while others may result in a slight color mismatch or shadowing effect. 

How do I find the exact paint color of my car?

To find your car's color, check the driver's side door jamb for a sticker that often has a paint code. Other common locations include under the hood or the window sticker. If you can't find the code, provide your VIN to the car dealership or check an online VIN lookup tool. 
This video shows how to find the paint code on your car: 45sAuto V Fix YouTube · Mar 1, 2024
Where to look on your car

• Driver's door jamb: Open the driver's door and look for a label or sticker on the door frame or the pillar where the door latches. This is the most common location. 
• Under the hood: Look for a sticker or placard under the hood that may contain the paint code. 
• Window sticker: The original window sticker from when the car was new often lists the paint code. 
• Other possible locations: Some manufacturers may place the code in the glove box, trunk, or owner's manual. 
• Owner's manual: The owner's manual is another place to check for the paint code. 

What to do if you can't find the code

• Contact the dealership: Provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a dealership, and they can look up the exact color code for you.
• Use online tools: Some online resources can provide the color code using your VIN, but not all online VIN lookup tools have this information. 

Can dealerships find paint codes by VIN?

It's possible. How do you find the paint code for your car with the VIN? Reach out to your local dealership and ask them if they can look up the paint code in their database with the VIN. Certain websites also provide this service.

Will my VIN number tell me my paint color?

No, you cannot find your car's paint code by VIN alone, as the VIN is a unique vehicle identifier and does not contain the paint code. However, you can use the VIN to find the code by contacting the manufacturer or a dealership, or by looking for the paint code on a sticker in your car. 
Where to find your paint code

• On a sticker inside the driver's door: Look for a sticker on the door jamb or B-pillar that contains terms like "EXT PNT" or "BODY COLOR CODE," says CarParts.com. 
• On a label under the hood: Some cars have a sticker or placard with paint information in the engine bay, although it can sometimes be hard to read due to age and heat, according to AutoZone.com. 
• In your owner's manual: The paint code is often listed in the service history or owner's manual for your vehicle, notes Holts Auto. 

If you can't find the code on your car 

• Contact the dealership: Provide the VIN to the manufacturer or an authorized dealer, and they can look up the exact factory paint color for you, says JustAnswer. 
• Use online VIN decoding tools: Some online tools and websites can help you find paint codes, but you should always verify the code directly from your vehicle or a dealer for accuracy, as online tools may have inaccuracies, notes Partify.